OK, OK - I guess I will keep posting! Thank God we have made it to the 2nd trimester - the nausea has faded a ton and I am more energetic. Summer has been a blur - lots of time napping and avoiding the outdoors.
So far everything is going well with the babies - I am 18 weeks along. On Aug 23rd we had an ultrasound in Waukesha to measure growth - and we were able to determine the sex - one of each! This was Nikki's preference - so we are all thrilled!
We see my regular OB or the specialists in Waukesha often - every 2 weeks or so - for regular visits or the special ultrasounds. The cool thing about having twins is that you get to see the babies via ultrasound every visit. There is no other way to differentiate heartbeats.
I have not felt any movement yet - but anyday it should happen!
Tonight I go with Nikki to the hospital for "Big Sister" class - should be fun!!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
11 weeks and counting
It's been a while since I posted! Everything is progressing well - I had my first appt with my OB, and I will go in each month. The cool part is that I get an ultrasound each appt becuase that is the only way to differentiate 2 hearbeats. She wants to do a C-section at 37 weeks - if I go that long. This will be January 13th - so at least I'll still be 41 at that time!
I do admit that the 1st trimester stuff has really knocked me down though. The nausea kicked into high gear at exactly 6 weeks and has not stopped. 2 weeks ago I asked for medicine - so that helps for part of the day. I have energy and ambition in the morning, then by late afternoon I need a nap and start feeling bad again. Laying down actually helps the nausea - so that's what I do - a lot! I am tired of watching TV (reading makes me nauseous - so that's out) - but I am fine with listening to what my body tells me to do. I am surprised at the intensity of symptoms happening so early: I have heartburn, cannot stand the summer heat, I wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of my stomach growling, and I grew out of my clothes at 8 weeks. I am fearful of how things may be come 3rd trimester - but no reason to worry about that now!
My sister-in-law, Wendy, has been an absolute SAINT, taking Nikki to play with her cousins so I get more rest. We both noticed that Nik has taken more interest in her younger cousins, Marina and Ellie, who are 4 and 2. She likes to play with them and help them - even carry them around. She is really excited about finally becoming a big sister.
I ended up in the ER last week July 5th after feeling weird, strong pains. I called our insurance nurseline first - and she told me to go in because of the pregnancy being higher risk. Ultimately I think it was a nasty combination of nausea, heartburn, gas, and God knows what else. I now pack a bottle of Maalox in my purse - cant live without it! I got to see another ultrasound - and this time I could see one of the babies' hands almost waving on the screen - very cool!
We stopped the progesterone shots, so that is another huge milestone - no more needles! I also decided to take the summer off of working - which feels both weird and refreshing at the same time. I have pangs of guilt that I should be working - but I can make those go away pretty quickly. My goal is to work during the fall, then be done after Thanksgiving, assuming I can keep up for that long.
I do admit that the 1st trimester stuff has really knocked me down though. The nausea kicked into high gear at exactly 6 weeks and has not stopped. 2 weeks ago I asked for medicine - so that helps for part of the day. I have energy and ambition in the morning, then by late afternoon I need a nap and start feeling bad again. Laying down actually helps the nausea - so that's what I do - a lot! I am tired of watching TV (reading makes me nauseous - so that's out) - but I am fine with listening to what my body tells me to do. I am surprised at the intensity of symptoms happening so early: I have heartburn, cannot stand the summer heat, I wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of my stomach growling, and I grew out of my clothes at 8 weeks. I am fearful of how things may be come 3rd trimester - but no reason to worry about that now!
My sister-in-law, Wendy, has been an absolute SAINT, taking Nikki to play with her cousins so I get more rest. We both noticed that Nik has taken more interest in her younger cousins, Marina and Ellie, who are 4 and 2. She likes to play with them and help them - even carry them around. She is really excited about finally becoming a big sister.
I ended up in the ER last week July 5th after feeling weird, strong pains. I called our insurance nurseline first - and she told me to go in because of the pregnancy being higher risk. Ultimately I think it was a nasty combination of nausea, heartburn, gas, and God knows what else. I now pack a bottle of Maalox in my purse - cant live without it! I got to see another ultrasound - and this time I could see one of the babies' hands almost waving on the screen - very cool!
We stopped the progesterone shots, so that is another huge milestone - no more needles! I also decided to take the summer off of working - which feels both weird and refreshing at the same time. I have pangs of guilt that I should be working - but I can make those go away pretty quickly. My goal is to work during the fall, then be done after Thanksgiving, assuming I can keep up for that long.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Two!?!
Twins on the way - coming about mid January 2011! Our ultrasound went great! I could not look at the screen right away - but then the Dr. said right away - there's a heartbeat. Then he shifted gears, looked right at Nikki and asked her to make the diagnosis as he scanned another area. We saw the second baby. I could not believe it! It had been so long since we saw a real heartbeat - its the coolest thing to see on the screen! A 40 week due date is Feb 3 - but we were told to expect them a couple weeks before that. He measured the beats per minute and size of the babies and said everything looked great!
So of course I had to ask "Now what do I do?" The not so great news is I still take the shots through July 8th. The great news is that I can be like a normal pregnant woman and connect with my regular OB/GYN.
So this time we have tears of joy instead of tears of sadness. Some of the nurses waited for us to exit the room. I think I am one of the longest running patients they have. I could not see going through all of these years if we did not have Nikki - there is no way. But we knew the right treatment would work for us - just took a while to find it!
Whew!
So of course I had to ask "Now what do I do?" The not so great news is I still take the shots through July 8th. The great news is that I can be like a normal pregnant woman and connect with my regular OB/GYN.
So this time we have tears of joy instead of tears of sadness. Some of the nurses waited for us to exit the room. I think I am one of the longest running patients they have. I could not see going through all of these years if we did not have Nikki - there is no way. But we knew the right treatment would work for us - just took a while to find it!
Whew!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A test of patience
I am getting very impatient again waiting for the ultrasound appt on the 17th. I feel good about it considering the increase in the nausea I have had this week. I am grateful to have it because I know that nausea is my body reacting to the pregnancy in a positive way. On the other hand, I am not thrilled that is occurs all day long. I am thankful not to be much of a puker - I never have been. Then again - I have been through enough pain and discomfort that I feel I dont deserve to be throwing up all the time;) I am sucking on lemon drops, drinking gingerale, and scarfing crackers as soon as I feel the nausea wave coming on. Those things have helped so far.
I started spotting last weekend - so called my nurses in a tizzy on Monday. I asked for another blood test for concrete evidence that everything was good. They let me go in - then called at about 4 with the results - all very good. The HcG number would be expected to be about 22,000 on TUESDAY, but as of Monday morning it was over 27,000. Kelly actually said Dan's magic words..."I would not be surprised if there was more than one in there." Since Monday was Dan's birthday - I thought I could share that news - naturally he was more excited about the possibility of twins than I was. I am terrified of it.
Kelly also explained that spotting is common when on progesterone shots - which I do not remember hearing at all. I'm sure they told me - but I have been forgetting so many things lately its been embarrassing. I tell Kelly I promise not to call again unless something more drastic happens.
I started spotting last weekend - so called my nurses in a tizzy on Monday. I asked for another blood test for concrete evidence that everything was good. They let me go in - then called at about 4 with the results - all very good. The HcG number would be expected to be about 22,000 on TUESDAY, but as of Monday morning it was over 27,000. Kelly actually said Dan's magic words..."I would not be surprised if there was more than one in there." Since Monday was Dan's birthday - I thought I could share that news - naturally he was more excited about the possibility of twins than I was. I am terrified of it.
Kelly also explained that spotting is common when on progesterone shots - which I do not remember hearing at all. I'm sure they told me - but I have been forgetting so many things lately its been embarrassing. I tell Kelly I promise not to call again unless something more drastic happens.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Second Blood test results
I got the call early Sunday with the second HcG levels - 701.8 - so more than doubled from 265 - so of course this is great news! Next step in the 7 week ultrasound on June 17 - the next big hurdle!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Positive!!
Great News! I decided to go in for the blood test yesterday because I could not stand waiting longer. I got the call from Kelly (one of the nurses) at about 3:30 - just as I was getting anxious again. I could tell by her voice as soon as I answered the phone.
This is a HUGE hurdle - yet I am still a bit guarded. The blood test measured the HcG hormone, or "the pregnancy hormone" at 265. Anything over 25 is pregnant - so Kelly told me this is a "good, solid result". Naturally I need to get information to show that this pregnancy is for real - so I ask her to look up my measurements fron Oct 2007, when I was PG via my first IVF try. This was the PG with TWO chromosomal defects. She tells me that my first measurement of HcG was 69, and my 2nd measurement was 185. So this time I am scoring much better. I will have my second blood test for this PG tomorrow - or 48 hours after the 1st.
After tomorrow's bloodwork I will be scheduled for the 7 wk ultrasound - which is the next hurdle to get over. If both embryos "took" we may be able to see then. Ultrasounds are the only way to confirm multiples. At this point the idea of having twins at age 42 is not exactly appealing - but I will take it if that is the case! Naturally Dan WANTS twins - I think he's nuts.....
Today we are having Nikki's friends over for a bday party - she is so excited this year! I was not going to do a friend party this year - but she wanted to - and considering how shy she is I wanted to jump at the chance for her to hang out with her buddies. I will update Sunday after I get the blood test results from Saturday.....
This is a HUGE hurdle - yet I am still a bit guarded. The blood test measured the HcG hormone, or "the pregnancy hormone" at 265. Anything over 25 is pregnant - so Kelly told me this is a "good, solid result". Naturally I need to get information to show that this pregnancy is for real - so I ask her to look up my measurements fron Oct 2007, when I was PG via my first IVF try. This was the PG with TWO chromosomal defects. She tells me that my first measurement of HcG was 69, and my 2nd measurement was 185. So this time I am scoring much better. I will have my second blood test for this PG tomorrow - or 48 hours after the 1st.
After tomorrow's bloodwork I will be scheduled for the 7 wk ultrasound - which is the next hurdle to get over. If both embryos "took" we may be able to see then. Ultrasounds are the only way to confirm multiples. At this point the idea of having twins at age 42 is not exactly appealing - but I will take it if that is the case! Naturally Dan WANTS twins - I think he's nuts.....
Today we are having Nikki's friends over for a bday party - she is so excited this year! I was not going to do a friend party this year - but she wanted to - and considering how shy she is I wanted to jump at the chance for her to hang out with her buddies. I will update Sunday after I get the blood test results from Saturday.....
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Embryo Transfer
On the 18th we had the embryo transfer procedure. I made Dan come along this time for good luck. He came the first time we had IVF. The 5 other times I did not ask him to come.
It is very cool to see the embryos before they put them in, and the embryologist, Mark, describes what qualities he looked for to select the best ones. There were 5 that matured into great quality - so we selected 2. 2 is the maximum.
After all these years I have become very attached to the nurses, and of course I have gotten to know the doctor and even the embryologists. They all seem too excited for my liking. I realize that over all - the chances for success are much higher with donor eggs. So Mark is very excited, and Kelly, the nurse we have know the longest, is practically dancing. They say the rates of success are 60-75%.
Tuesday and Wednesday I kept myself very busy with working at school and other things. Today I feel anxious though. Physical work and running around are the best ways to cope. They say implantation takes place in the few days after the procedure. There is nothing I can do to encourage or discourage it. They encourage mild activity - just nothing heavy duty. Sounds perfect to me!
I am due for the blood-PG test on May 27th. I keep going back and forth about whether I go in that day or wait until after the holiday weekend. I have a feeling it will drive me crazy not to know. Before I was convinced I would want to wait until after Memorial Day. We will see....
It is very cool to see the embryos before they put them in, and the embryologist, Mark, describes what qualities he looked for to select the best ones. There were 5 that matured into great quality - so we selected 2. 2 is the maximum.
After all these years I have become very attached to the nurses, and of course I have gotten to know the doctor and even the embryologists. They all seem too excited for my liking. I realize that over all - the chances for success are much higher with donor eggs. So Mark is very excited, and Kelly, the nurse we have know the longest, is practically dancing. They say the rates of success are 60-75%.
Tuesday and Wednesday I kept myself very busy with working at school and other things. Today I feel anxious though. Physical work and running around are the best ways to cope. They say implantation takes place in the few days after the procedure. There is nothing I can do to encourage or discourage it. They encourage mild activity - just nothing heavy duty. Sounds perfect to me!
I am due for the blood-PG test on May 27th. I keep going back and forth about whether I go in that day or wait until after the holiday weekend. I have a feeling it will drive me crazy not to know. Before I was convinced I would want to wait until after Memorial Day. We will see....
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